PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday inaugurated a Business Facilitation Centre (BFC) at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), aimed at providing services of various government departments to the business community under one roof.

The centre has dedicated counters for several public sector institutions, including the Federal Board of Revenue, National Database and Registration Authority, Water and Power Development Authority, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines, police, Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company and the district administration.

Speaking at the BFC’s inauguration ceremony, SCCI president Junaid Altaf described the centre’s initiative as a major achievement, as it would help facilitate traders and industrialists by reducing the need to visit different government offices.

He credited former SCCI president Fazal Moqeem Khan with initiating the project and said the present leadership’s efforts had brought it to the operational stage.

Centre to provide various services to businesspersons under one roof

Mr Altaf also appreciated Governor Kundi’s efforts for promoting ease of doing business and economic growth in the province.

He urged the governor to ask the federal government to provide funds to complete the remaining work on the Peshawar Expo Centre, ensure Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented on various federal boards and provide a special economic relief package to revive industries and businesses in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kundi said the establishment of the BFC was a matter of pride for the chamber and praised the SCCI leadership for making the facility functional.

He stressed the need for collective efforts to promote economic growth, peace and development in the province.

The governor said the business community had played an important role in the country’s economic progress and that strengthening it was essential for economic growth.

He assured the business community that the provincial government would continue working with the chamber to address its problems.

Mr Kundi also congratulated the SCCI’s outgoing office-bearers and extended his best wishes to the newly elected president, other office-bearers and executive committee members.

“We will work together for the province’s progress, building its soft image and prosperity,” he said.

Later, responding to questions from journalists, the governor criticised the postponement of a proposed protest march to Islamabad, saying he did not know what progress could be achieved in a week.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government postponed its Sept 27 protest march till Oct 4.

Mr Kundi also said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing a new wave of terrorist attacks.

“We are lifting the bodies, and they [PTI] are planning to attack the federal capital,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr Kundi said any such step would be taken on the advice of the prime minister and the president of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026